Left My Heart in Tokyo

Here is "Left My Heart in Tokyo" by Mini Viva:



This debut single from last year was very popular and charted well in Europe. Their new album is due out any day now. See more at Viva Mini Viva

Toyko Vice: Jake Adelstein on Jon Stewart

Via The Daily Show:

Jake Adelstein appears on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and talks about his new book and more:

BBC Documentary: Japanorama (Horror)

Just in time for Halloween, here is the Japanese Horror movie segment of the BBC Documentary Japanorama:

Part 1:



Part 2:



Part 3:

Uniqlo Japan 'Branches Out' To Paris

Here are some screen shots of some Japanese Uniqlo models totally 'branching out' to Paris:

Electric Eel Shock 'Sugoi Indeed'

Electric Eel Shock stays metal, man


CHIAKI NOZU PHOTO


Friday, Sept. 11, 2009

By DANIEL ROBSON

Special to The Japan Times


'I am 'Metal Man,' " states Akihito Morimoto matter-of-factly. "I love heavy metal, and I also studied metal materials and die-cast manufacture at university. So all my life is about metal."

At the live shows of his band Electric Eel Shock, it shows. Coming on stage 150 times a year to their own twisted, tortured version of Black Sabbath's "Iron Man," guitar-vocalist Morimoto and chums Kazuto Maekawa (bass, gurning) and Tomoharu "Gian" Ito (drums, nudity) rock up a sweat, blasting out tight, powerful metal with a fistful of Osaka humor.

Over 10 years of almost constant touring, the band have become one of Japan's best-known musical exports, playing at venues and festivals all over the U.S. and Europe. It's not only their staggering stage show that has earned them a reputation — though watching Morimoto lurch around the stage with his Flying V guitar in his mouth before calling everyone in the audience "bastards" while Gian, wearing nothing but a strategically placed sock, whacks his kit with four sticks and Maekawa lurches into the crowd certainly has its charms. No, it is also the members' unfailing belief in the power of metal, which has seen their albums grow increasingly essential despite their low-budget recording.

Their sixth album, "Sugoi Indeed," is their best to date, a short but sweet bundle of power chords, guitar solos and fierce rhythms. Its songs feature lyrics in English (which Morimoto, with his limited vocabulary, describes as "difficult") and Japanese, and include the aforementioned "Metal Man" as well as garage-rocker "Out Of Control" ("The song's character thinks he loves his girlfriend, but really he just loves thinking of himself as a caring lover," explains Morimoto) and the dark "More," whose chorus contains a subtle warning against wasting food ( "More! More! More! It's gross!").


Continued...

Here is their latest release 'Out of Control' from "Sugoi Indeed":



Note: Having seen this band once before, I can't wait to get their new album. Also check out their awesome video: Electric Eel Shock - Rock & Roll Can Rescue The World

And be sure to visit their official website: Electric Eel Shock

Mass of The Fermenting Dregs - ハイライト

Yes, I have been posting often about "Masu Dore" lately, but, seriously, modern-day alternative rock music does not get any better than this incredible band from Kobe, Japan. Here is a digital YouTube audio clip for their awesome ハイライト ("Highlight") single:




To hear more, check out their Myspace Page And also, be sure to visit the official website of Mass of The Fermenting Dregs

Related posts:


Live Video: Mass of the Fermenting Dregs

Mass Of The Fermenting Dregs Tokyo Concert Review

Mass of the Fermenting Dregs Live Video

Mass of the Fermenting Dregs Promo Video

a flood of circle promo video

Here is a recent release called "Buffalo Dance" by a flood of circle:



a flood of circle will appear at the Fuji Rock Festival. To find out more about this band, please visit their official website

POLYSICS PROMO VIDEO Young Oh! Oh!

Just officially released TODAY, here is the Polysics PV "Young Oh! Oh!":



Polysics will appear at the upcoming Fuji Rock Festival To find out more about this band, please visit the Polysics Official Website

Buffalo Daughter & Ami Suzuki: 'OK Funky God'

A couple years ago, in an somewhat unlikely matchup, the Japanese alternative rock/avant-pop group Buffalo Daughter of Grand Royal teamed up with Avex Trax pop singer/actor Ami Suzuki and released 'OK Funky God' on Suzuki's unsuccessful 2nd studio album entitled: 'Connetta' And, while the album did not succeed as a whole, the 'OK Funky God' track is, indeed, a winner! And the music video is truly stunning! Check it out right here:





Buffalo Daughter will appear with DE DE MOUSE on Friday, June 19th at the Shimokitazawa Townhall For more information, visit their official website: Buffalo Daughter

Ami Suzuki official website: 鈴木 亜美（すずき あみ）avex Official WebSite

Mass of the Fermenting Dregs Promo Video

Released earlier this year, this is a very cool promo video entitled このスピードの先へ　(Kono Speed no Saki E) or "This Speed Ahead" by the Japanese alternative rock group Mass of the Fermenting Dregs:




To find out more about this up-and-coming band, visit their official website: Mass of the Fermenting Dregs Also you can hear more of their alternative rock music at their official MySpace page: Mass of the Fermenting Dregs on MySpace

Related posts:

Live Video: Mass of the Fermenting Dregs

Mass of The Fermenting Dregs - ハイライト

Mass Of The Fermenting Dregs Tokyo Concert Review

Mass of the Fermenting Dregs Live Video

detroit7 Video: 'Louie Louie' Live in France

Here is a multi-camera filmed live video (which includes sound-board quality audio) of detroit7 performing a cover version of the old standard 'Louie Louie' live in France during their current Black and White World Tour:




And, for overall quality, this is one of the best live videos of detroit7 that I have recently seen from their current tour. But be sure to see more videos of detroit7 from this show on the ACAdapterGP YouTube Channel


detroit7 is now in the Japan leg of their tour and will appear tonight (05/30) with Shonen Knife in Chiba at the Kashiwa Palooza theatre along with Scandal and others in "PALOOZA Presents 'WICKED GIRLS' with Shonen Knife." WOW! It sounds like it will be one of those nights, indeed!

For more information on detroit7's upcoming shows in Japan, check out their official website's Live section.

Eastern Youth - 365 Steps Blues Promo Video

In many countries around the world, Eastern Youth is a very well known and quite popular Japanese indie punk rock trio that sings in various complex styles. Their songs' Japanese lyrics express the helplessness of much of today's younger Japanese generation. This video is a newly released high quality promo version of Eastern Youth's "365 Step Blues" And below the video I have also included both the Japanese lyrics in ROMAJI on the left, and just next to that on the right is an excellent English translation that another Eastern Youth fan/Japanese friend of mine gave me last year. And I just really like Eastern Youth and, especially, this song too! Please enjoy!








You can see more about this very brilliant rock band at their Eastern Youth Official Japanese Website

'Monster Hunters Unite' Capcom Promo Video

Here is a pretty spooky promotion video by Capcom for its upcoming play station portable game entitled 'Monster Hunters Unite":




Well, I am not a big gamer, but I really like the above promo video and how it is quite chilling, indeed. To see more about this upcoming release, visit Encyclopedia Gigantica - which is an online book with many details and photos from the game like this one:

Modern Japanese Samurai TV Video

This modern-day Japanese Samurai TV Video is just simply AMAZING:

unkie Promo Video 'blink'

Here is a new promotional video called 'blink' by unkie:



And check out my review of unkie from last year: Detroit Rock City Review 2008

unkie is Tokie (bass), Yutaka Aoki (Guitar) and Horoshi Kido (Drums).

See and hear more at unkie Myspace

detroit7 Live Video: Hollywood March 29, 2009

detroit7 jams one of their early Japanese singles "OWARI HAJIMARI" at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood on Sunday, March 29:




For more information on detroit7's current world tour check out the official schedule at detroit7 to tour the world!!

detroit7 Live Video: Seattle March 27, 2009

detroit7 performs 'Why?' live at Seattle's High Dive:




detroit7 is currently on their Black and White World Tour 2009 and will appear at the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 29.

detroit7 Promo Video 'Cold Heat'

Here is a new promo video 'Cold Heat' from detroit7:







This sexy rocker is from their previously released 'detroit7 BABYLON Live Album (2009)' album which coincides with their recently launched detroit7 Black and White World Tour 2009 Also, look for their latest release: detroit7 (2009)



In case you missed them last year, check out my review: detroit7 Live @ DETROIT ROCK CITY @ Chelsea Hotel 2008.2.25



See more at the official Japanese/English website of detroit7

WHO THE BITCH IS BACK!

Yes! One of my very favorite Japanese underground bands: WHO THE BITCH is back:

Hi! Jack!


Video link by 3Yen News on Japan


I saw them last year here in Tokyo and they were awesome: Who The Bitch - Who The Fuck!! Vol. 4 Review And very recently they released a new mini album "ミラクルファイトde GO! GO! GO!" Check it out on their Who The Bitch Myspace page


And be sure to visit their really cool WHO THE BITCH OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Japanese Solar-Powered Bra Winner By A Knockout!!!!

Japanese Solar-Powered Bra Winner By A Knockout!!!!





Wednesday, May 14

TOKYO (Reuters) - Ladies, take your battle for the environment a little closer to your heart with a solar-powered bra that can generate enough electric energy to charge a mobile phone or an iPod.

Lingerie maker Triumph International Japan Ltd unveiled its environmentally friendly, and green colored, "Solar Power Bra" on Wednesday in Tokyo which features a solar panel worn around the stomach.

The panel requires light to generate electricity and the concept bra will not be in stores anytime soon, said Triumph spokeswoman Yoshiko Masuda, as "people usually can not go outside without wearing clothes over it."

But it does send the message of how lingerie could possibly save the planet, Masuda said, adding that the bra should not be washed or sunned on a rainy day to avoid damaging it.

Being eco-friendly is now fashionable in Japan, and the "Solar Energy Bra" follows the company's other green-themed undergarments that include a bra that turns into a reusable shopping bag and one that featured metal chopsticks to promote the use of reusable chopsticks.

"It is very comfortable and I can really feel involved in eco-friendly efforts as well," model Yuko Ishida said.

And if the gorgeous Japanese model above is what being eco-friendly is all about, well, then, of course, I will soon become a charter member of Greenpeace!

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